Intercultural Competence Reflection Statement
Introduction: A tragically frequent concern among US military veterans is the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD currently does not have a reliable treatment services so dropout rates are high. Proof-based, appropriate and reasonable treatment interventions are needed for veterans. Nature therapy is beneficial and a cost-effective operation, and yet few rigorous studies have tested this as a therapeutic technique in PTSD veterans. PTSD is a psychological disorder that results in chronic and heightened stress. Studies show that veterans with PTSD are more likely to be sick, in pain, and die at younger ages than their non-PTSD peers. They are also 4 four times more likely to suffer form substance abuse, twice as likely to get divorced, and female veterans commit suicide nearly six times the rate of other women.
Purpose of Study: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a nature based activity on the well-being of combat veterans experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The analysis of various papers and journals, as well as the reference to “Nature Fix”, will assess the validity of the techniques of both education systems.
Significant Results of Research: After participating in their nature based treatment programs, a majority if not all veterans reported feeling more in touch with their bodies and experienced positive attitudes while being in a group of people from the same background as them. Veterans throughout the research also reported feeling better in control of their anxiety and more able to handle their problems in the future. Lastly, results concluded that after participating in the nature based treatment, participants felt more comfortable owning their identity and were better prepared to take an initiative in order to find solutions for the problems that PTSD posed to their everyday lives. Conclusions: The participating veterans developed a broad insight into understanding their condition, gained better control of their lives, built tools to better manage life conditions and were able to create a new identity. Nature therapy enhanced their ability to engage in social activities and jobs. Although there is much evidence to suggest that engaging with nature can help reduce trauma, such as PTSD, the Veterans Administration and most psychologists still do not consider nature to be a legitimate healing tool.
The Effects of Nature on PTSD Elizabeth Montoya, Hailey Egans, Brian Garibay, Carlos Chavarria
La Verne Experience 400, Nature Fix University of La Verne
Overview of Studies: ● 8 veterans were analyzed using interpretative
phenomenological analysis (IPA) over the course of one-year. They partook in a ten-week nature-based intervention in a therapy garden where they participated in Nature-Based Therapy, which is comprised of Horticultural and body-awareness activities supplemented by individual therapeutic talks. At the end of the interviews, 5 themes emerged: Bodily symptoms; relationships; building new identities; the future; and lessons learned. (Poulson et al 2018)
● 26 veterans with PTSD was randomized to perform 2 different activities, nature hiking, and urban hiking. They participated in six hikes of 2-4 hour in duration, over 12 weeks then again at 24 weeks. The researchers collected information about their life before and after the experiment and surveyed them at the 12 week and 24 week mark. They aimed to discover changed in PTSD symptoms and see how their quality of life changed. (Anderson et al 2018)
● 16 male veterans with PTSD volunteered to participate in the study. Researchers conducted a total of 24 interviews lasting from 1 to 4 hours detailing how PTSD has affected the veterans’ lives. Field study consisted of veterans attending twice-a-week surfing camps which consisted of surfing, coastal hikes, and yoga/meditation sessions. Data was analyzed through dialogical narrative analysis (DNA). Through surfing, veterans were able to rest from their PTSD and provide a positive community. (Caddick et al 2014)
● 98 controlled trials were analysed to determine their effectiveness in treating those suffering from PTSD. Out of these 98 trials, 38 were surmise to be the most effective due to the combination of Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy (TFCBT), eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), stress management and group cognitive-behavioural therapy. (Bisson et al, 2018)
References
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03997344
https://search-proquest-com.laverne.idm.oclc.org/docview/2108407243?accountid=25355&rfr_id=info%3Axri%2Fsid%3Apri mo
https://journals-sagepub-com.laverne.idm.oclc.org/doi/full/10.1177/1049732314549477
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=hIjK-9hOOIY https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/program/documents/Anderson,%20Monroy,%20Keltner2018_Awe %20in%20nature%20heals-%20Evidence%20from%20military%20veterans,%20at-risk%20youth,%20and%20college%20s tudents..pdf
https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/cooccurring/tx_sud_va.asp
Other links https://zoom.us/j/99958822983?pwd=cVh2ZlRzSk9WOUQxTnc1R3ZzekJJUT09
https://bb.laverne.edu/ultra/courses/_179059_1/cl/outline
References Poulsen, D. V., Stigsdotter, U. K., & Davidsen, A. S. (2018). “That guy, is he really sick at all?” an analysis of how veterans with PTSD experience nature-based therapy. Healthcare, 6(2), 64. http://dx.doi.org.laverne.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/healthcare6020064
Caddick, S. (2014). The Effects of Surfing and the Natural Environment on the Well-Being of Combat Veterans. Qualitative Health Research, 25(1), 76–86. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732314549477
BISSON, E. (2007). Psychological treatments for chronic post-traumatic stress disorder: Systematic review and meta-analysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 190(2), 97–104. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.106.021402
Anderson, C. L., Monroy, M., & Keltner, D. (2018, June 21). Awe in Nature Heals: Evidence From Military Veterans, At-Risk Youth, and College Students. Emotion. Advance online publication. https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/program/documents/Anderson,%20Monroy,%20Keltner2018_Awe%20in%20nature%20heal s-%20Evidence%20from%20military%20veterans,%20at-risk%20youth,%20and%20college%20students..pdf
http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/emo0000442
Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting With Nature. Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207–1212. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02225.x
Williams, F. (2018). The nature fix: Why nature makes us happier, healthier, and more creative. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company.